Various groups’ grievances and complaints compelled the Marcos regime to withdraw its plan to enforce additional burdensome fines and use of RFID on expressways in Metro Manila. The plan involved imposing fines on motorists without RFID devices and sufficient load balance when using expressways by August 31. Implementation was pushed back to October 31.

RFID, or radio-frequency identification, is a form of technology used on expressways for automatic or digital payment of toll fees. Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (Easytrip RFID) and Ramon Ang’s San Miguel Corporation (Autosweep RFID) operate the two RFID systems in Metro Manila.

On August 24, Bayan Muna Chairperson Atty. Neri Colmenares called this policy “highway robbery”. The policy is based on Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-001 issued by the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, and Toll Regulatory Board.

“They don’t fix damages in NLEX yet increase the fine and enforce stricter measures,” Atty. Colmenares said. He further stressed that this punitive policy is anti-people and will further burden motorists who are already struggling with the rising cost of transportation including high tollgate charges, high fuel prices and others.

He condemned the government for its claim that this was meant to speed up the process. He said this policy of the government disregards the socio-economic condition of the people. “The government should focus on ensuring equitable access to transportation and not penalize those who are yet to adapt to RFID technology due to financial constraints,” the former Bayan Muna lawmaker said.

The Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagka-Isang Terminal ng Transportation Terminal (Manibela) joins those who complained about this policy.